History Advising

HISTORY CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

Institute Core Curriculum: Note that EN 101 and 102 must be passed with a grade of C or better. The fourth class math requirement may be filled by other math courses with the approval of the head of the history department. All VMI students are required to take two writing-intensive courses, at least one of which must be within their major department. Listings of courses to be offered in each coming semester indicate writing-intensive courses with the suffix W following the course number. All 400-level courses are writing-intensive and are recognized as such by the Institute's Committee for Writing Across the Curriculum.

Department of History Core Curriculum: History majors and minors must earn a grade of C or better in the following courses: HI 103, 104, 200, 205 or 205W, 206. History majors must take at least thirty-three hours of history, including the eighteen required hours of HI 103, 104, 200, 205 or 205W, and 206.

Regional Distribution: History majors must take at least one course from each of three regional categories (Europe, United States, and Africa/Asia/Latin America). These categories are designated in the history course listings. Courses may be counted only for one category.

Introduction to Methodology: History majors must complete HI-200, Historical Methods with a grade of C or better, and take at least one 300-level course designated as methodologically intensive. 300-level methodological courses may also fulfill a regional requirement.

Capstone Course: History majors must take HI 460, preferably in the fall of the First Class year. The course requires a major research paper. Topics for the course will vary. The course has a prerequisite of at least one completed methodologically intensive course. (Note: individual sections of HI 460 may have additional prerequisites.)

The third class English electives may be filled with any literature course offered by the Department of English-Rhetoric and Humanistic Studies.

The third class science elective may be filled with any of the following courses (or others approved by the head of the history department). AT 201, AT 204, BI 215, BI 311, BI 312, CH 464, EL 201, EL 402, GE 201, GE 202, GE 204, PY 201, PY 202, PY 322, or PY 323.

The minimum foreign language requirement for history majors is one foreign language through the third-year level, or two foreign languages, each through the second-year level.

The second and first class restricted elective requirements may be filled by: a) courses required for a double-major or minor in another curriculum; b) elective courses offered by the Department of Economics and Business or the Department of English-Rhetoric and Humanistic Studies; c) courses in the International Studies Department.

HONORS IN HISTORY

The Honors Program in History is open to majors who have demonstrated excellence in the study of history. History majors seeking honors in history must complete the departmental core curriculum courses of HI 103, 104, 205 or 205W, and 206, plus HI 372, 491, and 492. Honors candidates must complete one methodologically intensive course from a region outside that of their thesis, plus additional courses for a total of thirty-three hours of history courses.

The VMI experience is framed by relevant education within a military environment. It’s an education that develops character, fosters a lifelong appreciation of physical fitness,engenders a sense of responsibility to others, and cultivates
the ability to master adversity.